She was running towards me.
’Why?’
I wondered for a fragment of a second before she blitzed past, and I heard a loud metallic crash as she collided with something.
Then came the meaty crunch and grind of several blows pummeling... whatever that was. Followed by a splash.
Through it all, I prioritized running over checking what was happening behind us, despite my burning curiosity. The frozen surface near the cave entrance cracked beneath my feet, got shaky, started to give—
I managed to leap.
Landed hard at the cave entrance with the deadweight—literally dead weight—sprawling off my shoulder and onto the stone.
Just that second, I heard it:
[You have slain a Blizzard Mauler]
So Kassie had managed to kill another Blizzard Mauler.
’What do we even gain from killing these monsters?’
[You have gained a Blizzard Mauler Pelt]
The notification and my internal question came at the exact same time.
’Oh?’
I looked at the message with interest, still sprawled on the ground. Not the most dignified position, but at least I wasn’t dead.
[You have gained your first spirit material: Blizzard Mauler Pelt, a high-grade cold resistance armor material. This material is available in your soul storage]
’Oh? I have a soul storage? Is that where the daggers went? I thought they went wherever Kassie disappeared to.’
It seemed that wherever Kassie went was called a Soul Plane, while weapons and other items were stored in something called Soul Storage. This was strangely comforting. At least I wouldn’t lose my weapons every time I sneezed.
Kassie arrived at the cave entrance, pulling herself out of the water. Her crimson hair clung to her head and neck, soaked through. Droplets rolled down her pale skin. The metallic armor gleamed from the wetness, which had the unfortunate—or fortunate, depending on perspective—side effect of making the outlines of her breasts even more pronounced. They moved with each step in perfect coordination with her bare hips.
I gulped and stood up as she walked toward me.
’Get it together.’
She stopped right in front of me. Her helmet turned left, then right, scanning the area. Then it scattered into a spray of red sparks, revealing those crimson eyes and that cold, beautiful face.
Immediately, I panicked.
Glanced at the unconscious Kael. Glanced around the cave entrance. Because there could be anyone watching! Instructor Stanley could be observing us right now through some magical surveillance. Or the church!
"Kassie, it’s unsafe to do this right now..." I said in a cautionary tone, trying to keep my voice steady.
She just glanced down at me with disdain and averted her gaze.
It wasn’t until a moment later that she spoke:
"I’ve checked the surroundings. There are no presences. You were being watched before, but since the snowstorm began, the connection has been cut off." She paused, her expression unchanging. "You are on your own now."
She glanced at Kael. "This one is nothing to be worried about. If he poses any danger, we can just let the monsters kill him."
’Eh?’
Shock washed over me.
"I certainly don’t like him, Kassie, but I’d prefer not to... you know, murder him." I gestured vaguely. "It feels like a stupid thing to do. At the end of the day, we matter to each other more than anyone else here does. Well, at least we should."
’Even if he is deadweight.’
She folded her arms over her ample chest, which made them shift slightly. "Whatever you want."
Her tone suggested she thought I was being unnecessarily soft.
"But it’s exhausting to pretend I can’t speak. And I hate returning to your soul plane! You should have a limitless spirit essence pool so I never have to go back to that place."
She glared. "And I need a change of clothes! I’ve been wearing this armor for what—eight thousand years? Who even wears full plate to hunt spirit beasts? Get me a ball gown!"
I gulped.
’No! Who wears a ball gown to a slaughterhouse?!’
I sighed and met her gaze. "Well, if you ever consider letting me fuck you, I’m sure my essence pool will become limitless and you’ll never have to return to my soul plane."
’Smooth, Cade. Real smooth.’
She flinched for a moment but quickly recovered, glaring down at me with those crimson eyes.
"You undignified pervert. In this place?"
I grinned, suddenly feeling cocky despite everything. Despite nearly dying moments ago. Despite being stranded in a frozen hellscape.
"Actually, I don’t mind the location, Kassie. I’m of the opinion that sex can be enjoyable even in places like this. Imagine it—the cold against our skin as we generate heat from within, bodies curling around each other, slick with sweat—"
She glared at me, shaking her head with what looked like pity and disgust.
"Thinking of such debauchery in this place... what a mongrel you are."
I smiled at her, undeterred. "You just wait, Kassie. I will fuck you. And after that, you’ll beg me to fuck you over and over again."
Maybe it was the angle, maybe it was the lighting from the cave. But in that moment, I caught a glimpse of a blush spreading across her pale face.
Before I could comment on it, I turned away.
’Small victories.’
I grabbed Kael by the hood and started dragging him across the ground as we descended deeper into the cave.